MTFCA Forum

This TT looks to be quite new in the photo, perhaps one of the earlier TTs to go to work ? Not sure of the purpose of the equipment, perhaps seed cleaning ? Run by a "stationary" engine that serves as the driver's seat ? Looks uncomfortable.

Hey there Rich B!
That does indeed appear to be a very early TT! Solid rubber rear tires, they were the only rear wheel factory offered for 1918 and early 1919. Although they continued to be an option for a few more years (I never have heard whether that option ever ended during TT production?), Once the pneumatics were made available, the solid tire option was not very popular.
Two things really clinch the "early" status of this TT truck. One, it has the over front axle wishbone! It has been said that although there was pressure to change the wishbone to under the front axle for several years, it was the TT going into production that was the impetus to make the change happen. The first TT trucks were too weak in the front end under heavy loads in spite of low speeds. The wishbone change was quickly made, and for a short time, TT trucks were getting the priority while cars still got the early style over-axle wishbones for another month or two. This truck having an over axle wishbone makes it one of the very early ones!
The other interesting detail, is I can see the 1917 style on the top of the steering column horn button! This is probably a carryover as nearly all 1918 model year production got the combination horn/light switch. TTs did go into production very late in calendar 1917, and were considered 1918 model and fiscal year vehicles.
Very few intact surviving TTs are early enough to have been built during late calendar year 1917. Even the numbers of intact surviving real 1918s is quite small.

I haven't heard anything of Henry Petrino (sp?) of Modesto California for a couple years now. Given his age and some health issues he had, I can only hope he is still with us. He had a 1918 TT that had been in his family since 1948. The engine had been replaced at some point by a later one. But otherwise, the truck was somewhat intact and had several very early characteristics that are rarely found on running TT trucks.

Great photo!

Rich,
I think you are right it looks like a Clipper Cleaner for cleaning grain. The engine looks like it could be a International M, around a 3hp. They were made from 1917 to 1933, so the engine could have been as new as the truck.
Pretty interesting rig, in that it looks permanently set up, so he must have been doing "contract" work to pay for it all.
Thanks for posting,
Kevin

Is that a buggy seat by the front wheel?

Sharp eyes, Pat ! I think that seat gets rigged over the engine to make the truck driveable !

Must be one of the earliest examples of a heated seat

Kaiser wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 16, 2022 5:37 am

Must be one of the earliest examples of a heated seat

........and massaging!